Thursday, December 10, 2009

Felt Baubles - how to

it's really simple to make your felt baubles, and here's how

you need:
a pair of old tights you are not going to use again
some carded wool in the colour of your choice -I used white and red -
old and worn out plastic baubles
red and white wool yarn for the embroidery

Wrap the baubles with the carded wool, making sure that the layer is even around the bauble.
Carefully put the bauble in the tights and secure the ball with a knot.
Repear for all the baubles - or until the tights are full!
Place in the washing machine with the next load.

Once the washing is finished you can remove the baubles from the tights: more often than not you'll need to rip the tights in order to free the baubles - that's why it's better if you use old discarded ones!
Let the baubles dry completely - make sure there's no water inside -

Use red wool or the thread you prefer and just have fun with the embroidery!















9 comments:

HELLO TIGER! said...

Wow, great job!

Tiddy and Charlie. said...

Fantastic idea!

cj x

Alison said...

Thank you for this post. These are just the thing for my tree!

Joanne said...

Thanks for the 'tutorial', I would never have guessed that there were recycled Christmas ornaments at the center. Do they withstand the washing well?

Donatella said...

I am happy you liked them!

Joanne - The old plastic baubles inside are ok - provided that you don't choose the 90°C cycle in the washing machine - and they are even better for the embroidery, because you have a hard surface underneath!

Margreet said...

That is a surprise, never thought of real baubles being inside! That will make them very light too. And as you say you have the instant shape already. What a great idea. Thanks for sharing!

Countdown down to 5 days now!

Susan said...

I didn't guess you made them around ornaments, either. Clever girl! They're really beautiful, and I love them on branches in your H. Jongerius jar.

Meg said...

Thank you so much for the tutorial. I had thought the balls were all felt - right the core. I have some blue balls I don't like any more so they will be perfect!

Donatella said...

Meg,

of course you could make them all in felt - but this is a good way to recycle old plastic ones and keep them light - not to mention the fact that you use less wool! And in Italy people from Genova like me are famous like those in Scotland for being "very shrewd"...